Lawsuit

Definition

• An action brought through a court by a plaintiff against a defendant. The plaintiff claims to have sustained a loss due to the actions of the defendant and the plaintiff seeks legal remedy (monetary compensation) or equitable remedy (an injunction or specific performance). Also known as a "suit in law."

Synonyms
suit, suit in law

Alternate Spellings
litigation, law suit

Related Terms and Acronyms

• Burden of Proof (BOP) — Acronym,
  • The legal requirement to provide enough evidence to win a lawsuit. In civil cases, such as tax court, the burden is decided by the preponderance -- the most -- evidence. Except in cases of tax fraud, the burden of proof in a tax case generally is on the taxpayer.
• Causation — Definition,
  • A method of connecting an entity's conduct with an effect, which in some cases can prove legal liability.
• Common Law (CL) — Acronym, Very Important,
  • Traditional, unwritten law based on English custom.
  ➥ Laws developed by judges through court decisions and precedent.
• Defendant — Definition,
  • The accused party in a lawsuit or criminal trial.
• Errors and Omissions Insurance — Definition,
  • Insurance that protects architects, home inspectors and contractors from claims by clients for professional mistakes.
• Malpractice — Definition,
  • Negligent acts done by a professional that causes injury to a plaintiff.
• Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) — Acronym,
  • A contract that disallows one or more parties from disclosing information covered by the contract.
• Plaintiff — Definition,
  • The party who initiates a lawsuit.
• Settlement — Definition,
  • An agreement between the parties of a legal case.
• Settlement Statement — Definition,
  • A document that details who has paid how much to whom.
• Tort — Definition,
  • An act that causes harm or loss.
• Tort Law — Definition,
  • Civil law or the laws that govern civil lawsuits.
• Tortfeasor — Definition,
  • A party who commits a tort (a civil wrong).